used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
any person at all
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
competedverbUS /kəmˈpiːtɪd/
past form of “compete” — compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
being one more than ten
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
the state of being honored
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
inconvenientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənt/
not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
phenomenallyadverbUS /fəˈnɑːmənəli/
to a phenomenal degree
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
respectfullyadverbUS /rɪˈspektfəli/
in a respectful manner
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
reviveverbUS /rɪˈvaɪv/
cause to regain consciousness
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
senioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The arrival of the senior partner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sake of setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task as inconvenient and useless.
VYNER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
at the time that
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The second day he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the third day the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arriving first, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permit when he strolled in at a quarter to eleven.
